This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text.
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(without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.
1910 Excerpt: ...as she recognized the Judge. He was in business
clothes and an unwonted air of the day's disorder hung about him.
"Good evening, Maida. Am I too late to come in? " he asked
apologetically. "I was kept downtown until now" Maida clutched her
courage in both hands. "I am glad you came--I want to speak to you.
Judge Reynolds, I don't think mother is very well. I think she
ought to go away for a few weeks." He looked so dismayed that she
could have embraced him. "Being engaged seems to be a great
strain," she went on bravely. "I wish that--October were not so far
away." His face lit up. "Why, my dear, your mother thought that
you--Well, really, there is no fixed law about October. So far as
that goes, next week would--" She grasped his arm. "Go and tell her
that," she whispered. Then she ran down into the garden, leaving
him to find the way in. A whistle from the gate brought again that
curious stab of expectancy. She was absorbed in unscrewing the hose
when Will came through the shrubbery. "Is my father here?" he
asked. "I have been waiting all the evening to chaperon him." "Oh,
he's here " said Maida dryly. "Misbehaving?" "Not exactly. But if
ever I have anything to do with engaged people again " "But you
will--you can't help yourself " It was not too dark for him to see
a sudden tide of color in her face. He came and took the hose from
her. "Let me help you, dearest," he said, his air entirely
practical as he knelt down by the faucet. The little word echoed
and reverberated about her. "Don't you call me that " she cried
desperately. Will, at her feet, smiled to himself. Nature "Back to
nature--that is what...